The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) has officially announced the winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025, one of the country’s most prestigious recognitions in the livestock and dairy sector. Scheduled to be presented on 26th November 2025, the awards form a central part of the National Milk Day celebrations, which commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, widely regarded as the architect of India’s White Revolution.

This year, the awards drew an overwhelming 2,081 applications, from which top performers across three categories were selected—Best Dairy Farmer, Best Dairy Cooperative Society/FPO/MPC, and Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT). These recognitions celebrate excellence, promote scientific dairy practices, and encourage innovation in India’s rapidly expanding dairy ecosystem.

A Prestigious Honour for India's Dairy Sector

The National Gopal Ratna Awards are among the highest national honours in the livestock and dairy sphere. Instituted under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)—launched in December 2014—the awards have been conferred annually since 2021. Their objective is to acknowledge farmers, cooperatives, and technicians who are significantly contributing to the improvement of indigenous cattle breeds, enhancement of milk productivity, and strengthening of India’s cooperative dairy model.

This year’s awards will be presented by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), who heads both MoFAHD and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian will also grace the ceremony.

Award Components and Prize Structure

For the first two categories—Best Dairy Farmer and Best Dairy Cooperative Society/FPO/MPC—the winners will receive:

• ₹5,00,000 for 1st Rank

• ₹3,00,000 for 2nd Rank

• ₹2,00,000 for 3rd Rank

• ₹2,00,000 as Special Awards for winners from the North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States

Each awardee will also receive a Certificate of Merit and a memento in recognition of their remarkable work.

In the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, winners will be honoured with a certificate and memento, although no cash prize is included for this category. The AIT awards highlight the essential role these technicians play in improving bovine genetics through advanced breeding services.

National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025: Complete List of Winners

1. Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Cattle/Buffalo Breeds

Non-NER Region Winners

• 1st Prize: Shri Aravind Yashavant Patil, Kolhapur, Maharashtra

• 2nd Prize: Dr. Kankanala Krishna Reddy, Hyderabad, Telangana

• *3rd Prize (Joint):

  • Mr. Harshit Jhuria, Sikar, Rajasthan

  • Kumari Shraddha Satyawan Dhavan, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

NER/Himalayan Region Winners

• Smt. Vijay Lata, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh

• Shri Pradeep Pangariya, Champawat, Uttarakhand

These farmers have demonstrated exemplary dedication toward the conservation, breeding, and scientific management of indigenous bovine breeds—an important national priority under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

2. Best Dairy Cooperative Society / Milk Producer Company / Dairy Farmer Producer Organisation

Non-NER Region Winners

• 1st Prize: Meenan Gadi Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangham Ltd, Wayanad, Kerala

• 2nd Prize (Joint):

  • Kunnamkattupathy Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Samgham, Palakkad, Kerala

  • Ghinoi Dugdh Utpadak Sahkari Samiti, Jaipur, Rajasthan

• 3rd Prize: TYSPL 37 Sendurai Milk Producers Cooperative Society Ltd, Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu

NER/Himalayan Region Winner

• Kulha Duud Udpadhak Sahkari Samiti, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand

The strong representation of dairy cooperatives reflects the continued success of India’s cooperative dairy model. Particularly noteworthy is the performance of cooperatives from Kerala’s Malabar region, whose consistent excellence has been recognised repeatedly in recent years.

Malabar Region Dairy Cooperatives Shine Again

Two dairy cooperatives under the Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union, affiliated with Milma, have secured top positions this year. The Meenangadi Dairy Cooperative Society in Wayanad clinched the first prize, while the Kunnamkattupathy Dairy Cooperative Society in Palakkad secured the second position in the best dairy cooperative category.

These awards—worth ₹5 lakh and ₹3 lakh respectively—reinforce the region’s legacy of excellence. The Malabar region has a strong track record at the NGRA, with earlier winners including:

• Deepthigiri Cooperative (2nd Prize, 2021)

• Mananthavady Cooperative (1st Prize, 2022)

• Pulpally Cooperative (1st Prize, 2023)

Their consistent achievements show how strong cooperative structures, scientific dairy practices, and farmer-centric governance can transform rural economies.

3. Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)

Non-NER Region Winners

• 1st Prize: Mr. Dillip Kumar Pradhan, Anugul, Odisha

• 2nd Prize: Mr. Vikas Kumar, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan

• 3rd Prize: Mrs. Anuradha Chakali, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh

NER/Himalayan Winner

• Mr. Deluwar Hasan, Barpeta, Assam

Artificial Insemination Technicians are critical to improving India’s bovine genetics and ensuring sustainable breed development. Their skilled services directly contribute to better productivity, healthier cattle, and improved livelihoods for dairy farmers across the country.

Awards Highlight India’s Dairy Transformation

India remains the world’s largest milk producer, and awards like the NGRA play a pivotal role in further strengthening the sector. Through recognition and motivation, the program supports:

• Scientific preservation of indigenous breeds of cows and buffaloes

• Promotion of sustainable dairy farming practices

• Enhanced breeding efficiency through quality AIT work

• Improved cooperative performance and organisation-level innovation

• Empowerment of small and marginal dairy farmers, who form the foundation of India’s dairy economy

The awards also align with the government’s broader vision of doubling farmers' income, boosting rural employment, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across India’s dairy-rich landscapes.

About the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

Launched in December 2014, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission aims to scientifically conserve and promote India's indigenous breeds. By focusing on genetic improvement, breed conservation, and scientific dairy management, RGM addresses long-standing challenges in the cattle and dairy ecosystem.

In 2021, the government integrated the National Gopal Ratna Awards into the mission to honour excellence and encourage widespread adoption of scientific, sustainable dairy practices.

Significance of National Milk Day and the Felicitation Ceremony

The awards will be conferred on National Milk Day, celebrated annually on November 26th in honour of Dr. Verghese Kurien. Known as the “Milkman of India,” Kurien spearheaded the cooperative revolution that transformed India into a global dairy powerhouse.

The 2025 ceremony, with the presence of key ministers and dignitaries, will not only celebrate the winners but also reaffirm India’s commitment to strengthening its dairy heritage and building a resilient, innovation-driven livestock sector.

Quick Facts: National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025

• Announced by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, MoFAHD

• Occasion: National Milk Day, 26 November 2025

• Number of Applications Received: 2,081

• Categories:

  • Best Dairy Farmer

  • Best Dairy Cooperative Society/FPO/MPC

  • Best Artificial Insemination Technician

• Top Cash Reward: ₹5 lakh

• Introduced: 2021 under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Final Thoughts

The National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 stand as a testament to the tireless efforts of India’s dairy farmers, cooperative societies, and breeding technicians. Their contributions are vital in preserving indigenous breeds, boosting milk production, enhancing rural livelihoods, and steering India’s dairy sector toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

As the country prepares to celebrate National Milk Day, the achievements of these awardees highlight a shared national vision: a prosperous, self-reliant, and scientifically progressive dairy ecosystem for generations to come.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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